First Children’s Vision Screening, King Island, Tasmania
After at least 12 months of planning, a dedicated LEHP team recently conducted the first Children’s Vision Screening Program training and screening sessions on King Island, Tasmania. Five members from King Island Lions Club members have been accredited, with two more set to finish their training soon. Two of these members are also working on their Facilitator qualifications, setting King Island up to be able to run future screening sessions independently.
The cost of travelling to a remote location is always a challenge, but thanks to the efforts of our team from Rocky Cape Lions Club and our T1 LEHP Representative, some of these expenses were generously covered by sponsors - Sharp Airlines, King Island Hire Cars, Island Breeze Motel, Tasmanian Lions Foundation and District 201T1 and, of course, support from the Lions Eye Health Program Australia, Rocky Cape and King Island Lions Clubs. Without their assistance this trip may not have been possible.
King Island Lions Club were wonderful hosts and our team enjoyed their hospitality and are happy to welcome them into the LEHP community. The high school provided excellent morning tea and lunch.
The training workshop included theory sessions, learning about LEHP’s policies, procedures and methods, followed by a practical demonstration on how to correctly use the vision screening equipment. Participants were then given a chance to get some hands-on practice using the screening tools before heading to a local school where the team screened 92 students. 11 of those screened were referred for further examination and follow up with an optometrist.
Despite a busy schedule, the team also managed to see some sights of this beautiful island, including Cape Wickham Lighthouse, the tallest Lighthouse in Australia. The sunsets and sunrises were spectacular and the locally produced King Island cheese was very popular!
A special thanks to Anne Fagg and the team from Rocky Cape Lions Club for giving their time to travel, train and guide our newest team of vision screeners, and to T1 LEHP Representative, Stephen Smith, for his work towards securing funding to make this dream a reality. We look forward to many more screenings on King Island very soon.
Click on the photos below for more.
